Ryan O’Reilly signs contract

Wow, Avs just signed Ryan O’Reilly to a three-year, $2.7 million contract. Maybe this kid will make the team after all. It’s an “entry level” contract, and there still is a chance – maybe a good one – that O’Reilly still will be sent back to junior before either opening night or before he plays 10 NHL games this season. If he goes back to junior, he will not make $900,000 this year, obviously. But if he makes the team, that’s his pay, for each of the next three years. I’m sure O’Reily got a bonus as part of signing, but I don’t know (yet) what that bonus is.

Cameron Gaunce signed a contract with the Avs, but was sent back to junior already, for instance. But this is obviously a big day for O’Reilly, and he’s still on the active Avs camp roster. We’ll see what happens.

You should have seen the Avs’ personnel at the draft table in Montreal on the second day of the NHL draft, though. When it was the Detroit Red Wings who were up at the No. 32 pick and they took Landon Ferraro, the excited, relieved looks at the Avs table were plain for all to see. They really were shocked O’Reilly had lasted that long, and guys told me afterward they literally were saying prayers O’Reilly would still be there after the Wings and teams right before them made their choice.

Not bad at all! Especially if he turns out the way he is prospected to.

I know fans of many other teams turned green with envy when we picked him up.

LTKiwi

Not bad at all! Especially if he turns out the way he is prospected to.

I know fans of many other teams turned green with envy when we picked him up.

James

I think he’ll make the team at this point, for at least the first 9 games. There are 27 players left, meaning the Avs need to cut 4 to get down to the NHL max 23 man roster.

You figure they won’t use three goalies, so Weiman should be a cut; and there’s a log jam at LW, so Durno should be cut as well. That leaves two more players to be cut, and it should be Cumiskey and Peltier. Avs are stacked at defense (Clark, Foote, Hannan, Liles, Preissing, Salei, Quincey), and there’s no reason to keep a young guy in the press box when they could be playing in the AHL.

James

I think he’ll make the team at this point, for at least the first 9 games. There are 27 players left, meaning the Avs need to cut 4 to get down to the NHL max 23 man roster.

You figure they won’t use three goalies, so Weiman should be a cut; and there’s a log jam at LW, so Durno should be cut as well. That leaves two more players to be cut, and it should be Cumiskey and Peltier. Avs are stacked at defense (Clark, Foote, Hannan, Liles, Preissing, Salei, Quincey), and there’s no reason to keep a young guy in the press box when they could be playing in the AHL.

Rob

I know it’s rare for a first-round pick to immediately jump to the NHL for a whole season, but how often does it happen with a second-round pick?

Hammer

I like what I’ve seen the first couple of games with some of the young guys. O’Reilly, Quincey, Durno, Galiardi, and of course, Duchene. Stoa was a little slow out there, but has some great potential. We may see him again this season.

My real surprises are (gulp) Tucker, Hannan and Budaj. I’m seeing speed out of all of them that I’ve not seen before. I hope it can last as they all looked better on the ice than I can recall. Did new coaching put a spur on a few tails or is it the “last year of the contract” plan.

I’m pleasantly surprised at our PP and PK. They look better so far.

While it’s extremely early, I think this team may end up surprising some people this year.

One thing. Please, somebody, tell Tucker to quit crying about his cheap penalties as they have always been penalties and will always be penalties in the NHL. Take it like a man. Admit it, try not to do it again, and make up for it. Stop crying.

Hammer

I like what I’ve seen the first couple of games with some of the young guys. O’Reilly, Quincey, Durno, Galiardi, and of course, Duchene. Stoa was a little slow out there, but has some great potential. We may see him again this season.

My real surprises are (gulp) Tucker, Hannan and Budaj. I’m seeing speed out of all of them that I’ve not seen before. I hope it can last as they all looked better on the ice than I can recall. Did new coaching put a spur on a few tails or is it the “last year of the contract” plan.

I’m pleasantly surprised at our PP and PK. They look better so far.

While it’s extremely early, I think this team may end up surprising some people this year.

One thing. Please, somebody, tell Tucker to quit crying about his cheap penalties as they have always been penalties and will always be penalties in the NHL. Take it like a man. Admit it, try not to do it again, and make up for it. Stop crying.

Rob

I know it’s rare for a first-round pick to immediately jump to the NHL for a whole season, but how often does it happen with a second-round pick?

Fizzle

Hey AD,

Any chance you might talk to some of the scouts and see what’s up with having nearly only Canadian players on the roster? As far as I can tell, Hejduk, Svatos, Liles, Salei, Anderson and Budaj are the only ones not from CAN that will get significant ice time (I’m counting Wolski as Canadian, I’m not sure how much Hensick and Hendricks will play, and I’m ignoring Koci altogether).
I don’t have anything against Canadian players, I love their style actually, but why aren’t we mixing in a few more Swedes, Russians, Fins, Czechs, etc.? Only four Europeans on the roster! I just counted quickly, and Detroit has around 13 non-CANs, Pittsburg 9, Washington 11, Anaheim 13…. San Jose, meanwhile, has 6, just like the Avs.
Are the Avs just tired/scared of picking more Nedorosts and Kuleshovs? What gives? Have there been any changes to the overseas scouting staff lately?

Fizzle

Hey AD,

Any chance you might talk to some of the scouts and see what’s up with having nearly only Canadian players on the roster? As far as I can tell, Hejduk, Svatos, Liles, Salei, Anderson and Budaj are the only ones not from CAN that will get significant ice time (I’m counting Wolski as Canadian, I’m not sure how much Hensick and Hendricks will play, and I’m ignoring Koci altogether).
I don’t have anything against Canadian players, I love their style actually, but why aren’t we mixing in a few more Swedes, Russians, Fins, Czechs, etc.? Only four Europeans on the roster! I just counted quickly, and Detroit has around 13 non-CANs, Pittsburg 9, Washington 11, Anaheim 13…. San Jose, meanwhile, has 6, just like the Avs.
Are the Avs just tired/scared of picking more Nedorosts and Kuleshovs? What gives? Have there been any changes to the overseas scouting staff lately?

Thrawn

Rob,

Probably not as often, though I believe Stastny was drafted in the second round behind Stewart in the first, and he did make the team immediately.

Thrawn

Rob,

Probably not as often, though I believe Stastny was drafted in the second round behind Stewart in the first, and he did make the team immediately.

Go DU

That’s not true Thrawn. Stastny played another year at DU after he was drafted. You are correct that he was drafted in the 2nd though.

Go DU

That’s not true Thrawn. Stastny played another year at DU after he was drafted. You are correct that he was drafted in the 2nd though.

Todd

Can he play LW? If so, he should stick with the team all year…or until he gets injured. Should we read anything into the fact that Hedjie was playing some LW last night? I mean, they gotta have someone other than Wolski who can play offense on the left side.

Todd

Can he play LW? If so, he should stick with the team all year…or until he gets injured. Should we read anything into the fact that Hedjie was playing some LW last night? I mean, they gotta have someone other than Wolski who can play offense on the left side.

peterman

You gotta be careful thinking the Avs will trust an 18 yr old to contribute an entire season. It’s 82 long games. You don’t want them taking a step backwards.

On the other hand, there’s no expectations this year, so it could be the perfect situation.

I can’t speak to O’Reilly, but from what I’ve seen from Duchene, especially his determination, I can’t help but think he’ll stay the entire year.

peterman

You gotta be careful thinking the Avs will trust an 18 yr old to contribute an entire season. It’s 82 long games. You don’t want them taking a step backwards.

On the other hand, there’s no expectations this year, so it could be the perfect situation.

I can’t speak to O’Reilly, but from what I’ve seen from Duchene, especially his determination, I can’t help but think he’ll stay the entire year.

marc ragusin

the last 2nd round pick that I can remember jumping to the NHL in his draft year is Patrice Bergeron in Boston. He ended having a real good year and really becoming a player.

The first time I saw O’Reilly at prospect camp he really jumped out to me. He was clearly one of the top three players at the camp. I dunno if his skating is up to snuff for the NHL, but I think this kid could be a real player. I think the Avs should at least give him a 9 game tryout in the regular season before sending him down.

marc ragusin

the last 2nd round pick that I can remember jumping to the NHL in his draft year is Patrice Bergeron in Boston. He ended having a real good year and really becoming a player.

The first time I saw O’Reilly at prospect camp he really jumped out to me. He was clearly one of the top three players at the camp. I dunno if his skating is up to snuff for the NHL, but I think this kid could be a real player. I think the Avs should at least give him a 9 game tryout in the regular season before sending him down.

Adrian Dater

Peterman: I think you nailed it with your comment. O’Reilly strikes me as just too young to be thrown into the deep end of the pool so fast. He might get a few games at the start of the year, and you never know what might happen. But I think he’ll be back at Erie before the fall is through. And as for Duchene, I think it would harm him MORE if he went back to junior now. He’s ready for the big time. Yeah there will be growing pains, but he’s not going to learn anything new in Brampton. Time for the Show.

Adrian Dater

Peterman: I think you nailed it with your comment. O’Reilly strikes me as just too young to be thrown into the deep end of the pool so fast. He might get a few games at the start of the year, and you never know what might happen. But I think he’ll be back at Erie before the fall is through. And as for Duchene, I think it would harm him MORE if he went back to junior now. He’s ready for the big time. Yeah there will be growing pains, but he’s not going to learn anything new in Brampton. Time for the Show.

Will

Fizzle – I’m obviously not AD, but I think I can answer at least some of that question. I have wondered that myself, but then I read Michel Roy’s biography of Patrick Roy, and it made a little more sense.

The Avalanche are a team that comes originally from Canada, and much of the organization still has ties to the old Quebec Nordiques. Being that the move from Quebec, the front office, Pierre Lacroix in particular, still has strong allegiances to Canadian players, just like the Montreal Canadiens do today. Canadian hockey people like Canadian hockey players, right or wrong. From a hockey standpoint, it probably has a lot to do with the fact that they are partial to the Canadian game, and it probably has a lot to do with the fact that Lacroix and the boys have an allegiance to Quebecers on many levels still.

That also explains in part why there has been a tradition of a strong French-Canadian/Francophone presence with the Avs over the years – players like Roy and Tanguay, and coaches/FO personnel such as Hartley, Martineau, Goulet, and Giguere.

Will

Fizzle – I’m obviously not AD, but I think I can answer at least some of that question. I have wondered that myself, but then I read Michel Roy’s biography of Patrick Roy, and it made a little more sense.

The Avalanche are a team that comes originally from Canada, and much of the organization still has ties to the old Quebec Nordiques. Being that the move from Quebec, the front office, Pierre Lacroix in particular, still has strong allegiances to Canadian players, just like the Montreal Canadiens do today. Canadian hockey people like Canadian hockey players, right or wrong. From a hockey standpoint, it probably has a lot to do with the fact that they are partial to the Canadian game, and it probably has a lot to do with the fact that Lacroix and the boys have an allegiance to Quebecers on many levels still.

That also explains in part why there has been a tradition of a strong French-Canadian/Francophone presence with the Avs over the years – players like Roy and Tanguay, and coaches/FO personnel such as Hartley, Martineau, Goulet, and Giguere.

Adrian Dater

Fizzle: If the Avs had a Canadian bias, do you think they would have hired two Americans (Tony Granato, Joe Sacco) to coach the team the last few years?

Adrian Dater

Fizzle: If the Avs had a Canadian bias, do you think they would have hired two Americans (Tony Granato, Joe Sacco) to coach the team the last few years?

Rob

To me the real reason comes down to cost. After many seasons of poor European drafting combined with Kroenke’s cost-cutting, the Avs aren’t willing to invest in more and/or better scouting in Europe. Now if the Avs had mined such prospects as the Red Wings have, then I think you would see a much higher investment on the Avs’ part akin to that of the Wings.

Rob

To me the real reason comes down to cost. After many seasons of poor European drafting combined with Kroenke’s cost-cutting, the Avs aren’t willing to invest in more and/or better scouting in Europe. Now if the Avs had mined such prospects as the Red Wings have, then I think you would see a much higher investment on the Avs’ part akin to that of the Wings.

mike wofsey

What’s wrong with having a bias for Canadians?

In fact, to take it a step further, it would probably be mildly profitable for the Avs to go back to an English/French broadcast on the SAP. We still have an enormous debt to Quebec for their sacrifice.

mike wofsey

What’s wrong with having a bias for Canadians?

In fact, to take it a step further, it would probably be mildly profitable for the Avs to go back to an English/French broadcast on the SAP. We still have an enormous debt to Quebec for their sacrifice.

Fizzle

Adrian – I actually don’t think they have a bias, as Will seems to suggest (although you make a good case Will).

I’d lean more towards Rob’s guess. The fact is, though, that I have no idea, which is why I asked you.

I am just wondering why it seems we are missing out on half the available draft pool, and if the Avs have done anything to strengthen the overseas team, or if they’ve thrown in the towel.

Thanks.

Fizzle

Adrian – I actually don’t think they have a bias, as Will seems to suggest (although you make a good case Will).

I’d lean more towards Rob’s guess. The fact is, though, that I have no idea, which is why I asked you.

I am just wondering why it seems we are missing out on half the available draft pool, and if the Avs have done anything to strengthen the overseas team, or if they’ve thrown in the towel.

Thanks.

Carmela

I think I read it somewhere that the bonus that O’Reilly got is part of the 900K salary (if I understood it correctly).

Carmela

I think I read it somewhere that the bonus that O’Reilly got is part of the 900K salary (if I understood it correctly).

Brett

O’Reilly will be solid, I agree with that. His skating will improve while being at the NHL level, but the thing that really stands out to me will be his puck-handling. We’re going to need people that can transition the punk into the attack zone, and puck handling will be essential to that. O’Reilly has the smarts and the perserverance to move into the NHL mindset, but is it too soon? Last time I remember the Avalanche having 2 rookies perfrom well out the gate was with Hejduk and Drury. I could be mistaken.

Here’s hoping O’Reilly and Duchene can click and contribute to this team. We’ll be solid with young developing talent–just need to turn that into success on the ice.

On a side note–preseason ticket prices are dispicable where they are. KSE needs to figure out how to properly market this team and realize that it’s not the same team that they can gouge on the fans.

Brett

O’Reilly will be solid, I agree with that. His skating will improve while being at the NHL level, but the thing that really stands out to me will be his puck-handling. We’re going to need people that can transition the punk into the attack zone, and puck handling will be essential to that. O’Reilly has the smarts and the perserverance to move into the NHL mindset, but is it too soon? Last time I remember the Avalanche having 2 rookies perfrom well out the gate was with Hejduk and Drury. I could be mistaken.

Here’s hoping O’Reilly and Duchene can click and contribute to this team. We’ll be solid with young developing talent–just need to turn that into success on the ice.

On a side note–preseason ticket prices are dispicable where they are. KSE needs to figure out how to properly market this team and realize that it’s not the same team that they can gouge on the fans.

Terry Frei graduated from Wheat Ridge High School in the Denver area and has degrees in history and journalism from the University of Colorado-Boulder. He worked for the Rocky Mountain News while attending CU and joined the Post staff after graduation. He has also worked at the Oregonian in Portland, Ore., and The Sporting News. His seventh book, March 1939: Before the Madness, was issued in February 2014.

Chambers covers college and professional hockey for The Denver Post. He has written for the Post since 1994, after dumping his first 9-to-5 office job a couple years out of college. He primarily follows the University of Denver hockey team and helps cover the Avalanche.